Deprived of basic amenities, complain Takhar nomads

TALOQAN (Pajhwok): Some nomads, locally known as Kuchis, complain about the absence of elemental facilities like clean drinking water in northern Takhar province.

Soiled clothes, the absence of proper dwellings, children’s deprivation of education and no share in humanitarian aid are the persisting problems that have made life miserable for nomads in Takhar.

Asadullah, a nomad from Khwaja Bahauddin district, told Pajhwok: “We have long been living at the peak of deprivation, with no access to clean drinking water.

“We have never benefitted from humanitarian aid. Our only hope stems from the shelters that keep us safe from vagaries of winters, rains and snowfall.”

According to him, they live together with their animals in the mobile dwellings made of sheep/goat wool over 12 days. Asadullah urged the authorities to alleviate the predicament of the ethnic minority.

Mohammad Wali, another nomad, said: “In addition to the absence of basic facilities, pastures were converted into agricultural lands this year. The government should pay attention to our plight.”

Haji Abdul Wahab, a Kochi tribal leader, confirmed about 400 nomadic families living in Khawaja Bahauddin district were facing a host of problems, including poverty and the lack of potable water and access to schools.

He added raising livestock was their only source of income, a business that had also been badly affected by the issues being encountered by the tribe.

Maulvi Mohammadullah Haqqani, director of border and tribal affairs, acknowledged the problems of nomads in this province. He said 35,000 of them were reliant on raising livestock in 11 districts of Takhar.

sa/mud

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